Let's be honest. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on social media or certain corners of the internet lately, you've probably seen the phrase try not to squirt popping up in memes, challenge videos, and suggestive clickbait. It’s become one of those weirdly viral cultural touchstones that people talk about without actually talking about the mechanics behind it. Most people think it’s just a porn trope or some internet myth designed to get views. They’re wrong.
Female ejaculation—which is what we’re actually discussing when we peel back the internet slang—is a real, documented physiological phenomenon. It’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of human biology.
For a long time, even the medical community was skeptical. Doctors used to dismiss it as "urinary incontinence," basically telling women they were just peeing themselves. That’s a pretty dismissive way to handle a complex physical response. Thankfully, modern research from people like Dr. Beverly Whipple—one of the researchers who helped popularize the term "G-spot"—and various urological studies have started to paint a much clearer, more respectful picture of what is actually happening.
The Actual Science of the Try Not to Squirt Phenomenon
It isn't just one thing. Research suggests there are actually two different types of fluid involved here. One is a thick, milky substance that comes from the Skene’s glands, which are often called the "female prostate" because they are histologically similar to the prostate gland in men. These glands produce prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which was a huge discovery because it proved the fluid wasn't just urine.
The other type of fluid, which is usually what people are referring to in the try not to squirt context, is much more voluminous and watery.
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A 2014 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine used ultrasound scans to see what was happening in real-time. The researchers found that the bladder fills up before the "event" and empties afterward. But here is the kicker: the chemical composition of that fluid isn't the same as typical urine. It’s highly diluted and contains specific chemicals like urea, creatinine, and uric acid in much lower concentrations than what you’d find in your morning bathroom break.
Basically, the body is doing something very specific and intentional. It’s not a "mistake."
Why the Challenge Format Took Over
Internet culture loves a challenge. We had the Ice Bucket Challenge, the Cinnamon Challenge, and now we have various "try not to" iterations. When people search for try not to squirt, they are often looking for a specific type of content that gamifies sexual tension. It’s about the "edge."
Edging is a real technique used in sex therapy to help people gain more control over their physical responses and increase the intensity of their eventual climax. By trying to hold back, you're essentially building up a massive amount of pelvic floor tension.
This isn't just for internet points.
Actually, many pelvic health specialists suggest that understanding these triggers can help people who struggle with pelvic floor dysfunction. If you know how to "not" do it, you gain a better understanding of the muscles involved—the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, specifically.
Common Misconceptions That Just Won't Die
- Everyone can do it. Honestly? No. Some estimates suggest only about 10% to 50% of women experience this. It depends heavily on the anatomy of the Skene's glands, which varies wildly from person to person.
- It’s "just pee." We covered this, but it bears repeating. It’s a distinct physiological event. Even if the bladder is involved as a reservoir, the process is triggered by sexual arousal, not a full bladder in the traditional sense.
- It’s the "ultimate" orgasm. This is a dangerous myth because it makes people feel like they are failing if they don't experience it. An orgasm is a neurological and muscular event; fluid is just a possible side effect for some.
The Role of the G-Spot and Skene’s Glands
The G-spot (Gratingsberg spot) isn't really a "spot" like a button you press. It’s more of an area that involves the internal structure of the clitoris, the urethra, and the Skene’s glands. When this area is stimulated, it can lead to the "try not to" sensation because the pressure builds up right against the bladder wall.
Think of the Skene's glands as the engine. They sit on the anterior wall of the vagina. When they get engorged with blood during arousal, they press against everything else.
Some researchers, like those involved in a 2002 study by Wimpissinger, found that the fluid contains high levels of glucose. Why? We don't fully know yet. Evolutionarily speaking, some hypothesize it might have something to do with neutralizing the acidity of the vagina to help sperm survival, much like the male prostate fluid does, but that's still being debated in the halls of academia.
Anatomy Isn't a Competition
The pressure to perform—to "squirt" or to "not squirt"—can actually kill the mood entirely. Stress releases cortisol. Cortisol is the enemy of arousal. If you're focused on the try not to squirt challenge or trying to force a specific physical outcome, you're probably going to have a bad time.
The most "successful" experiences usually happen when people are relaxed and not overthinking it.
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How to Actually Manage the Sensation
If you are looking for more control, whether for personal reasons or just to understand your body better, it all comes down to the pelvic floor.
- Pelvic Floor Awareness: You’ve heard of Kegels, but the "reverse Kegel" is actually more important here. It's the act of consciously relaxing and "pushing out" the pelvic muscles rather than clenching them.
- Breathing: When people try to hold back, they tend to hold their breath. This increases internal pressure. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing helps keep the nervous system in the parasympathetic (rest and digest/arouse) state rather than the sympathetic (fight or flight) state.
- Communication: If you're with a partner, the "try not to" game can be a fun way to build tension, but only if both people are on the same page about the goal.
The Cultural Impact of the Phrase
Language matters. The shift from "female ejaculation" to the more colloquial "squirting" happened largely because of the adult film industry in the 1980s and 90s. This created a bit of a "fake it till you make it" culture where things were often exaggerated for the camera.
This exaggeration is why so many people are confused today. They see a video and think, "Wait, is that supposed to happen?" or "Why am I not doing that?"
The try not to squirt trend is just the latest evolution of this. It turns a natural, albeit variable, physical response into a feat of endurance. It's entertainment, sure, but we shouldn't confuse entertainment with a medical standard.
Real Advice for Navigating This
If you’re exploring this side of your physiology, be patient.
First, hydration is key. Since the fluid is largely water-based, being dehydrated is going to make the whole experience much harder and potentially uncomfortable. Second, use a towel. Seriously. Whether you're trying to do it or trying not to do it, the reality is messy.
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Third, check in with a pelvic floor physical therapist if you have concerns. If you feel like you're losing control of your bladder in non-sexual situations, that's a different issue entirely (stress incontinence) and it’s something a pro can help you fix with targeted exercises.
Actionable Steps for Body Literacy
Stop looking at it as a "challenge" and start looking at it as biology.
Understand your own anatomy first. Use a mirror. Look up anatomical diagrams of the clitoral network—it’s much larger than most people realize, extending deep into the body.
Practice mindfulness. During arousal, pay attention to exactly where the "urge" is coming from. Is it a muscle contraction? Is it pressure on the bladder? Is it a tingling in the Skene's gland area? Labeling these sensations helps take the "mystery" out of it and gives you more agency over your own responses.
Focus on the build-up. The "try not to" aspect is actually great for increasing sensitivity. By slowing down and backing off right when things get intense, you allow the nerves to reset and then build back up to an even higher peak. This is the core principle of "edging," and it’s a legitimate way to enhance pleasure.
De-stigmatize the fluid. Whether it happens or it doesn't, it’s just a body doing body things. The more we treat it like a weird internet secret, the more shame and confusion we heap on it.
The "try not to" game might be a trend, but your relationship with your body is permanent. Treat it with curiosity instead of just trying to "win" a challenge you saw online.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to dive deeper into the mechanics of pelvic health, look into the work of Dr. Nicole Cozean or the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. They offer great resources on how pelvic floor muscles interact with sexual function. You can also track your own responses using a simple journal to see how hydration, cycle phase, and stress levels affect your physical sensitivity.